2013: Just Dreams. Not Plans. Except for One.

Disclaimer: Contrary to how meticulously done my itineraries are, I'm really no good at making long-term plans, and never in my life did I want to pressure myself to [insert goal here] before [insert deadline here]. If I've done that at any point, I surely would have long given up on this travel thingy since I'd definitely bear a grudge when I fail to accomplish something. While I love to maximize the experience in wherever my feet (and hands because I have to crawl at times) take me, I ultimately enjoy spontaneity; and if ever there had been trips in the past which have been booked way ahead, the promo fares are to be blamed. Still, I can't consider it as something planned since I'm not the type to await a promo fare to a certain destination I've planned ahead to go to. It's the other way around - I check the list of destinations on promo, and book a flight to somewhere I figured I'd love to go - at the spur of the moment. Even that major climb to Mt. Apo wasn't something I've been planning to do all the while, but among all the climbs I've done, it was the one planned way ahead of time (read: 2 months ahead, and that's a record-high).

Before July 2012 came, I have been booking promo plane tickets in advance, and did not encounter any problems come the travel date. This was how I've been able to travel to Puerto Princesa, Cebu and Bohol, Davao, Catanduanes, Coron, and even in Hong Kong and Macau with less than 2,000 pesos round trip airfare.

Unfortunately, after all those times when I was spared of circumstances which will not allow me to pursue a trip, last July 2012, I was awakened by the reality that I'm not an untouchable.

The plane tickets to Cagayan de Oro were purchased cheaply last September 2011 - 10 months ahead of our supposed anniversary trip. How was I to know that he'd be somewhere far, far away come that trip? (Trivia: Last October 2009, I was in a relationship when a friend booked me to a 1,500 pesos round trip flight to Hong Kong. I didn't bother inviting my boyfriend back then to join us since the trip was still 10 months ahead, and I had a feeling that it won't be "us" come that time. I made the right decision. :D)

The wasted booking to CDO was not my only wasted booking last year. Last February 2012, I booked six promo plane tickets to Kalibo for a trip on October 2012, as requested by my Europe-based cousin who promised she'd treat the family to Boracay for a vacation. The nomad cousin later on preferred to go on exploring Europe and the U.S., and has foregone the opportunity to come to the Philippines for a vacation. The other family members instantly lost interest to pursue the trip, too.

Since then, I did not book plane tickets in advance just because they are cheap. But I have a confession to make...

Despite what transpired last year, I still booked a plane ticket in advance. But hell no, it's not cheap!

The rolling hills.

The houses made of stone.

The Faluwa boat.

They are calling me...

...and I couldn't resist.

I made the booking three days before the end of 2012. It was a bold move. It was the first time that I haven't informed Boots before deciding for both of us. I feared that he would oppose the idea, BUT I WANT IT THAT BAD so I made sure it will happen without any objections. For all he knew, I was just having a casual chit-chat about how I dreamed of the place, asking him if he wishes to go there, too. I told him that I badly want our honeymoon to be there, and even assured him that I'll shoulder the budget if it will exceed our whole budget for the church wedding and the honeymoon. He was agreeing with everything but he had no idea that while I was busy with him, I was also too busy with another tab - booking the flight.

Mixed emotions followed. A part of me was partying because the booking has been done, unopposed. Something inside of me was doubtful if the trip would push through - still fresh from the trauma of the two wasted bookings of 2012 (and that trip is not something that could easily foregone because the price is no joking matter). But mind you, it was not the main reason why I got nervous as hell after I made that booking. I thought he'd be furious for not letting him know. But instead, he remained calm and just told me that next time, I should inform him first. *sigh of relief*

Oh, and by the way, have you figured it's Batanes?

And as all of you may know by now, right now, I'm more excited with the Batanes honeymoon than with the wedding itself. After booking that flight, I suddenly lost interest in being so meticulous with the things that we need for the wedding and instead focused on accomplishing that wedding the same way I make our itineraries - full-packed, without non-value adding and unnecessary details (I'm an Industrial Engineer by the way), and within the cheapest way possible. I have to emphasize on the "cheapest way possible" bit. I've already set my thoughts on accomplishing everything within our agreed budget, and just like in our itineraries - I will do it.

Batanes...the perfect place to be with the perfect person. It has always been my dream to spend a honeymoon there, even if I didn't dream of getting married (prior to meeting Boots). And this 2013, it will happen. :)

Batanes. That's my only travel scheduled for 2013 and I'd be happy and alright as long as we'd be able to accomplish it. But given the time and resources, I also wish to do that long overdue revenge climb to Mt. Pulag, finally go to Ilocos, and drop by Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, to get it already over with. One cannot say that he has traveled the Philippines if he/she hasn't even set foot on those challenging provinces, right? These though, are wishes, not plans.

An Advance Farewell and an Advisory

After the honeymoon to Batanes, I'll be saying goodbye *sobs* to my first love, my dear Philippines. That's the reason why I wanted to go to Batanes so bad - to at least experience my ultimate dream Philippine destination before I leave. I haven't created any plans, for I don't even know what lies ahead. After Batanes, it will be like doing a night trek without a light source, but the fact that I'll be "holding hands while trekking" with my travel buddy for life eliminates the anxiety. I'm wishing of exploring the little red dot as well as the mountains of its neighbor but perhaps I'll be too preoccupied to do any travel at all (It can't be! *crosses fingers and toes*). One thing's for sure though: Whatever travel will occur in 2013, I'll enjoy it like I always do. The fact that I'll be doing it with my travel buddy for life just gets me excited! And don't you worry, you'll be the first to know. I won't be too far. I'll just be somewhere 3.5 hours away from the Philippines by plane. (Side note: PTB members based there, care for a meet up?)

Whatever might impede with my dream, I will still do my best to push through with my dream to travel the whole Philippines as soon as I can. And after that, the world! :)

Thrills, seek me. I'm ready. As always.

This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival with the theme "New Beginnings" posted in Roj Braga's blog The Adventures of Adventuroj.